Overview
- The Ministry of Science and ICT unveiled the 2027 national R&D direction prioritizing artificial intelligence alongside advanced biotechnology and quantum, a framework approved by the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology.
- Vice Minister Park In-kyu said next year’s investments will harness AI to deliver benefits people can feel in daily life, with project timelines shortened to accelerate outcomes.
- The K-Moonshot Project will pursue 12 national missions across eight sectors by integrating AI with cutting-edge research, complemented by the K-Science initiative focused on Korea-specific scientific challenges.
- Pilot programs will target urgent public needs such as wildfire prediction and disaster response, with mechanisms to apply private-sector technologies to defense uses.
- President Lee Jae Myung pledged a coordinated industrial AI push, with ministries set to open bids next week for a 432 billion won program to deploy AI solutions in factories, including AI agents for managing processes.